Yesterday I finished a 5K in a good time for me as compared to my past 5K races BUT I had hoped to finish with a little better time. Guess if my mind lets me focus on the actually accomplished good finish time OR my inability to reach my hoped for goal pace by just seconds???!!!

Last year, I learned from a very good running coach that race time is NOT the most useful measurement of overall progress because there are too many uncontrollable variables that help or hinder. Weather. Unfamiliar terrain. Yesterday I was slowed by the bodies walking in groups in front of me at the starting line. Bodies in front of me on the race route gave me incentive to move faster so I could pass. The adrenalin of a race makes race pace different. Guess if my mind is measuring my progress based on my race finish time???!!!

My instincts want me to add but it was hotter last year, and I didn't have a 14 minute mile pace, and other apologetic and negative statements but I will resist because I am trying to experience the satisfaction.

I keep a log with my race statistics. It allows me to see trends over time. Trends can show progress, or lack of progress. I was never the type of person who ever considered racing. I avoided participation in gym class throughout my long ago high school years! Participating in a race was BIG.

My first race was in 2007. Continued and regular participation in races for over 5 years is BIG. I deserve giving myself a pat on the back and feeling a sense of satisfaction for over 5 years of training for races: both walking faster and learning to run.

I was faster yesterday than I was 5 years ago. I was faster yesterday than I was a year ago on the same race course. I chopped almost 3 minutes off my finish time compared to last year.

I'm feeling satisfied with what I have done.

And I'm feeling satisfied with recognizing that I deserve to feel satisfaction for what I have done.

KATHRYN1955
I wonder if measuring success in running only in terms of a "faster time" is like only using the scales to measure success in our weight management stories. We can get so hung up on the quantitative measurements that we miss the more intangible rewards. Congratulations in recognizing that your deserve to feel satisfaction for your accomplishments.....that means even more than shaving off those few extra minutes (although that is sure terrific!!!)Take care,Kathy2110 days ago

THEEASYKILL30
I'm new to the running game (only started in March) and have so far participated in only 2 races. But I am thinking I need to start a journal of some sort so I can track my progress.

I think you should be more than satisfied. You've done great! Again, I am new to running but I also feel like the intangible "how you feel afterwards" is a big part of running and racing. I'm quickly learning not to get upset at myself when I feel like I have a bad run.

FLEURGARDEN
Great job! I think it's so important to keep a log or a journal of some sort so we can look back and see how far we've come. Sometimes we don't see the progress because it's gradual, and we feel like we're stuck, but then we can get a great sense of satisfaction from seeing what we have accomplished over time. Keep up the great work!2112 days ago

PHEBESS
YES!!!!!!!! We definitely need to see success and achievement each and every step of the way!!!!! And YES, we definitely need to be satisfied with those successes and achievements, because that's exactly what they are!!!!!!2113 days ago

BOSS61
Of course you should feel mountains of justifiable pride over this very significant fitness accomplishment. Your final paragraph or two hit is quite nicely - you contrasted yourself not to others on the course, but to your own standard you set for yourself in the past. All the Sparky social accomplishments in the world mean NOTHING compared to your actual success on the race course! 2113 days ago

SPARKFRAN514
You finished the race which is more then the ones who sat at home and didn't race and did you turn around and see all the ones that were behind you? races all seem to have walkers and joggers the cause a bottle neck. I did our cities 12 race in May its called Bloomsday it a hug race for all types of runners walkers. We have those elite runners who come for the cash prize and that also includes wheel chair racers next comes those who came prove they do 5 minute miles the groups that run as teams and hey also have to have poof they can run fast. then the go by color and time and off they go the walkers and joggers stagger the times so us slow ones are behind those who can run it s a great event and the back group is just concerned having fun and getting a shirt after crossing the finish line. so i have learned just go and have fun and see if i can improve on my time and it sounds like you did just that. I am not a runner so have not worried about beating any one but my old time form the year before. it just exciting to cross the finish line and know you did your best way to go on finishing the race2113 days ago

EVWINGS
I am so proud of you!! As much as I walk daily, I still need to rest because I get winded and here you are doing such a fantastic job running!! Congratulations for a job well done.2113 days ago

1CRAZYDOG
Good for you! I don't know why we're so hard on ourselves, but I know I am too. Good for you for looking in that "rear view mirror" of what you've done in the past and can see you're even better now. Way to go.2113 days ago

ALPHASENIOR
And I recognize that you have done a great thing. Deciding to race at all, keeping records, improving. Congratulations for all of it.You should be a lot more than satisfied. If you had a friend that did everything you did, would you have been disappointed in her? 'Course not! 2113 days ago